Private Garden Design

Balance is a principle of all art forms, design, and evenlandscape design. It implies a sense of equality. And whilethere may be just a little more to it, this is how I explain itto make it easier for first timers and do it yourselfers tounderstand.

A garden, landscape, or any form of equal proportions wouldnaturally feel and look balanced. However, most gardens andlandscapes are not exact or symmetrical in shape and form.They're asymmetrical and abstract in form and are often withoutany natural balance of their own. So landscaping often relies onother elements to create balance and harmony through unity.

Many times, a lack of balance is directly related to a lack ofrepetition. Repeating alike elements such as plants or rocksthroughout the landscape will help unify different areas to eachother. As little as one repeated matching plant group, color,piece of decor, or hardscape can accomplish this.

A lack of balance is also created by placing too many or all nonmatching elements throughout a landscape design. This cansometimes seem cluttered and unkept when it grows in. In thebeginning of your design, plan for less, place just a fewmatching plant groups throughout the garden, and keep decormatching and to a minimum. You can add more later.

So many of the questions that I receive about landscape designdeal with the shape of a design . Shape is unique to each designand will ultimately follow all necessary paths and your visions.However, any shape or form can be filled with elements and stillbe either dull, void, loud, cluttered, and unbalanced. Balanceisn't necessarily dependant on shape. It can be but generallyit's not. So don't get too hung up on trying to even things outentirely by shape.

Landscape design is an art form and so it deals with "all" thesame principles that other art forms use. Repetition, unity, andbalance are all principles of art that go hand in hand with eachother.

Architects use repetition in design by making doors, windows,fixtures, trims, etc. the same sizes, shapes, and styles.Imagine how your home would feel if every door, door frame,window, and fixture were of different sizes, shapes, colors, andtypes. It would be uncomfortable and chaotic.

And so it's the same with landscape design.

In order to create balance, appeal, and even comfort in alandscape that is lacking, we need to create some form ofconsistent repetition. As little as one matching element placedon opposites can create a sense of unity and consistency. It'seasiest and most often created in the softscape (plants,ornaments, lawn, decor, etc.). However, it should be consideredin the hardscape (walks, driveways, necessities, fences, walls,raised beds, boundaries, etc.) of your drawn design plan.

You can discover more information on The Principles Of LandscapeDesign at: The Principles Of Landscaping

About the author: Written by Steve Boulden of The Landscape Design Site. Todiscover more about the principles of landscape design, visit hissite at: www.the-landscape-design-site.com

Steve Boulden, Fri Dec 9th